Contact copying machine



NOV. l26, 1940. (3,l SZASZ 2,222,961

CONTACT COPYING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1939 2lsheets-$heet l PATENT AGENT NOV. 26, 1940. G, SZAS'Z 2,222,961

CONTACT COPYING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LINE 10 INVENTOR GEZ/1 SZ'ASZ PATENT AGENT 35 vision of shutter means either alone or com- Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE CONTACT COPYING MACHINE Geza Szasz, New York, N. Y.

Application April 4, 1939, Serial No. 265,916

7 claims. (ci. sas-v7.5)

This invention relates to photo-copying machines and deals more particularly with devices of this character wherein a high intensity light source is employed.

In one form of prior construction there was employed alight source emitting long wave length light such as produced by an ordinary watt light bulb. rIhis source of light being of relatively low intensity could be employed when haloid silver emulsion-s on the photographic paper were used. The devices were usually boxlike in structure and employed a nat copying surface.

Another type of prior device used a light source emitting rays of short wave length and was particularly adapted for the making of blue prints. This type of lighting was either in the form of carbon arc lamps or low pressure mercury vapor lamps used in `connection with a paper feed mechanism whereby the paper moved in relation to said lamp.

The present invention seeks to provide a contact photo-copying machine on which may be used either haloid silver photographic paper, blue print paper or other light sensitive dye coated material.

The invention seeks to provide a light source emitting short Wave length rays and combining said light source with a preferably heini-cylindrical transparent platen which permits the transmission of short wave length rays of light and upon which the negative and the sensitized paper may be arranged for exposure of the light of said source.

The invention further contemplates the probined with a iilter.

Another `feature of the invention resides in the provision of time controlled electrical means for operating the above-mentioned shutter means for obtaining the desired length of exposure.

It is also contemplated to incorporate in the electrical system of the machine a reactor -means in the light source circuit so that the machine may be interchangeably used for the exposure of various types of light sensitive materials.

Another object of theinvention resides in the provision of means for cooling the light source in view of its high intensity.

In order to determine the light transmitting qualities of any negative to be copied on the machine, there is also contemplated the provision of light sensitive means for application to the light transmitted by a negative whereby exposure time thereof may be determined.

Accordingly, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts, all as will be illustratively set forth in the following description, and the scope of the application of which will be ins dicated in the appended claims.

With these and other objects in view there has been illustrated on the accompanying drawings one form in which the invention may be conveniently embodied in practice.

In the drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view partly in crosssection, of a machine incorporating features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical arrangements of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a partial elevational view, partial sectional view, `of one end of a modified form of light source, shielding means therefor, and associated shutter means;

Fig. 5 'is a cross-sectional view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of one end of the machine illustrating the use of the light sensitive means for determining the exposure time.

In that embodiment of the invention herel illustrated, the copying machine preferably comprises a base housing I0 formed with spaced upright portions II at each end of the machiner These upright portions are preferably provided with a curved surface I2 forming a seat for a transparent hemi-cylindrioal platen I3 bridging the gap between the seats of the wall II. In order to obviate direct contact between the platen I3 and the metal of the uprights II there may be interposed cushioning pads such as shown at I4 between said platen and the seats.

In the above mann'er there is provided an enclosed chamber I5 near the lower portion of which is arranged a tubular light source I6 extending longitudinally of the machine and comprising a quartz or short wave transmitting glass housing with a suitable inert gas therein.

Surrounding said light source I6 there is arranged shutter means comprising the stationary half shell I1 and the rotatable half shell I8. Extending from each lateral portion of the stationary shell I1 towards the front and rear of the machine there is preferably arranged a reflector member I9 comprising a sheet having a` highly reflecting surface. The rotatable shell I8 is also provided onits inner surface with a high reflection polish.

When exposure is not had, the rotatable shell I8 is arranged in a position to overstand the light source I8 and together with the shell II to effectively cover and conceal said light source.

When exposure is desired the rotatable shell is arranged as shown in Fig. 2 exposing the platen to the light rays from said source I8 and to the reflected rays from the highly reflecting inner surface of said rotatable shell and of the mentioned plates i3.

' The means for operating the mentioned shutter means in the present instance is electrical and comprises a solenoid 20 having a coil 2l and a oating core 22. The core is connected, as shown, to a link 23 having connection with a two-armed lever 24 pivotally mounted on one of the uprights II at 25. The mentioned link 23 is preferably connected to the shorter arm 28 of the lever 24 and the free end of the longer arm 21 thereof serves to carry a preferably concavely curved gear rack 28. The latter is engaged with a gear 29 carried by the rotatable shell I8. A spring, such as shown at 30, may ybe employed in counter-acting relation to the force of the pull of the solenoid on its core.

It is evident from the foregoing that when exposure of the light source is desired the solenoid is energized against the force of the spring 30 to cause rotation of the shell I8 so it is disposed coincidehtly with the shell I1 and when the solenoid is de-energized the spring 30 takes effect to restore the shell I8 to itsV light concealing position where it is arranged diametrically to the fixed shell I1.

The light source I6 is preferably operated through the induced current supplied to a transformer 3| connected to an A. C. line as shown in Fig. 3. One side 32 of this line is connected as by means of a master switch 33 to the primary winding 34 of the transformer 3I. The other side 35 of said line is connected to said winding. Thus the switch 33 controls the ilow of current to the primary of the transformer.

'I'he secondary winding 38 of the transformer 3| is connected in series with the light source I8 by conductors 31 and 38 and a switch 38 disposed to open or close the conductor 38. The above circuit is employed when the full intensity of the light source I8 is desired. When lower intensity is needed, a reactor. 40 may be cut into the secondary circuit by means of the switch 39 and it is this condition which is illustrated in Fig. 3.

One end of the coil 2|v of the solenoid 20 is connected by means of a conductor 4I to the line at 32 and the other end of said coil is connected to a switch 42 controlled by a time mechanism 43, the switch 42 being arranged in series in the line of the conductor 44 which is connected to the side 35 of the line. It is evident from the foregoing that the solenoid 20 is controlled in its operation only by the time switch 42 and will operate when said time switch is operated.

I'he means for cooling the light source preferably comprises a motor 45 having a fan 48 arranged to blow a current of air along said light source for conducting heat away therefrom.

The motor 45 is connected by means of the conductor 41,-to the conductor 44, and thus to one side 35 of the line, another conductor 48 being connected to the switch 33 and thus to the other side 32 of the line. A switch 48 may be employed to cut the motor 45 into circuit even when the switch 33 is open, so that cooling of the lighty source may be had at any time.

As shown in Fig. 6 in physical form and at the right of Fig. 3, electrically, the light sensitive means such as a photo cell 88 suitably housed may be connected by means of conductors 8i to a proper form of registering meter 52. Thus, when the light transmitting properties of a negative are to be determined, the light/sensitive cell may be positioned against the negative as shown in Fig. 6 and reading of said property may be had on the scale of the meter 82. The latter may be arranged with dual scales selectively readable under the mentioned selective conditions-one Where the reactor 40 is used and the other, where the reactor 48 is cut out as by means of the switch 39.

Where the light source I8 is enclosed in quartz, shielding thereof from the stream of air from the cooling fan 48, is unnecessary.

However, when glass, having short wave ray transmitting properties is used, it is desirable to shield the light source I8 as by means of a glass tube 53, the latter being in the air stream series `to conduct heat away from the light source.

The movable shutter shell I8.may be combined, for instance as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, with a light filter portion I8a oscillatable and arranged with said shutter shell to overstand the lation to the reflecting surface of the shutter4 shell I8 and preferably above the center of rotation thereof. Thus,. a reflective uniform diffusion of light rays from said surface is obtained. This results in a uniform exposureof the negative and print paper.

In operation a negative 58 is placed on theouter surface of the platen I3, the sensitized paper 58 is positioned thereover, and acovering shield 51 preferably of flexible fabric is then positioned overv the paper. Said shield is resiliently mounted as at 58 to the rear of the machine and catch or clip means 83 at the front of the machine is employed for holding the shield in place. The spring means 58 serves to impart a.l tension on the shield so that the negative and the photographic paper are in a flat condition and in intimate contact with each other. The light transmitting properties of the negative and the exposure time of the photographic paper having been previouslyy determined, and the switches 39 having been set, the timer 43 is set to give the proper exposure time-controlled. 'I'he machine need not be watched since the time switch opens the solenoid circuit so that the spring 30 may act to enclose the light source at any time thereafter. The exposed photographic paper 58 may then be removed for subsequent treatment. The light source I8 remains on and is ready for another exposure upon operation of the shutter mechanism. The time switch having no control over the light circuit, consecutive copying operations may be had until the master switch 33 is opened.

By the various means heretofore described, a wide range of variation or modification of characteristics may be had.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided adevice of the character described which comprises a light source emitting short wave length rays, a hemi-cylindrical platen positioned in xed relation to said source and adapted to receive a negative thereon, semi-cylindrical shutter means for said source comprising a stationary half portion and a swingable half portion complementary to said stationary portion, an electric circuit including -a solenoid, time-controlled switch means for controlling operation of said solenoid, said swingable half portion having a reiiecting inner surface, reflecting members at either side of said source, and means including gearing oscillatably operable by said solenoid and in engagement with said swingable portion for swinging the latter into open and closed positions, respectively, said swingable portion when swungI in closed position surrounding with said stationary portion said light source, said swingable portion when swung in open position substantially overlying said stationary portion and permitting by its inner surface and in conjunction with said reflecting members transmission of said rays from said light source through said platen and said negative when located on the latter. The device possesses the particular features of advantages before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification and its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embod-iments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a copying machine of the character described the combination of a light source, shutter means adapted to enclose said source, an electric circuit, electro-magnetic means in said circuit, a transparent platen iixedly positioned above said source and adapted to receive-a. negative thereon. and means in said circuit for controlling said electro-magnetic means, said shutter means comprising a stationary member and a swingable member having a curved and highly reflecting inner surfaca said swingable member being in driving connection with said electro-magnetic means and being oscillatable thereby to cover said light source when swung in a position thereabove forming with said stationary member a substantially closed housing for said source, and to expose said source when swung in a position below said source and substantially above said stationary member thereby forming with said inner surface a reflector for said light source for transmission of rays therefrom through said platen and said negative when placed thereon.

2. In a copying machine of the character described the combination of a short wave length light source, shutter means adapted to enclose said source, an electric circuit, electro-magnetic means in said circuit, a heini-cylindrical transparent platen iixedly positioned above said source and adapted to receive a negative thereon, and time-controlled switch means in said circuit for controlling said electro-magnetic means, said shutter means comprising complementary members, a stationary member and a swingable member, respectively, said swingablel 'member having a curved and highly reiiecting inner surface, said swingable member being in driving connection with said electro-magnetic means and being oscillatable thereby to cover said light source when swung in a position thereabove forming with said stationary member a substantially closed housing for said source, and to expose said source when swung in a position below said source and substantially above said stationary member thereby forming with said inner surface a reflector for said light source for transmission of rays therefrom through said platen and said negative when placed thereon.

3. In a copying machine of the character described a light source emitting short wave length rays, a hemi-cylindrical platen positioned in xed relation to said source and adapted to receive a negative thereon, semi-cylindrical shutter means for said source comprising a stationary half portion and a swingable half portion complementary to said stationary portion, an electric circuit including a solenoid, time-controlled switch means for controlling operation of said solenoid, and means including-gearing oscillatably operable by vsaid solenoid and in engagement with said swingable portion for swinging the latter into open and closed positions, respectively, said swingable portion when swung in closed position surrounding with said stationary portion said light source, said swingable portion when swung in open position substantially overlying Vsaid stationary portion and being positioned relatively to said light source so as to permit rays emitted therefrom for transmission through said platen and said negative when located on the latter.

4. In a copying machine of the character described 'the combination of a short wave length light source, semi-cylindrical shutter means eccentrically arranged with respect to said source, an electric circuit, electro-magnetic means in said circuit, a nomi-cylindrical transparent platen nxedly positioned above said source and adapted to receive a negative thereon, time-controlled switch means in said circuit for controlling said electro-magnetic means, said shutter means lcomprising complementary members, a stationary member and a swingable member, respectively, a iilter element associated with said swingable member and oscillatable therewith, said swingable member being in driving connection with said electro-magnetic means and being oscillatable thereby to conceal said light source when swung in a position thereabove forming with said stationary member a substantially closed housing for said source, and to expose said source when swung in a position below said source and substantially above said stationary member for transmission of rays from said source through said lter element to said platen.

5. In a copying machine of the character described a light source emitting short wave length rays, a heini-cylindrical platen positioned in fixed relation to said source and adapted to receive a negative thereon, semi-cylindrical shutter means for said source comprising a stationary half porv tion and a swingable half portion complementary to said stationary portion, an electric circuit including a solenoid, time-controlled switch means for controlling operation of said solenoid, said swingable half portion having a reflecting inner tion surrounding with said stationary portion said light source, said swingable portion when swung in open position substantially overlying said stationary portion and permitting by its inner surface and in conjunction with said reilecting memberstransmission of said rays from said light source through said platen' and said negative when located on the latter.

6. In a copying machine o1 the character' described the combination of a short wave length light source, semi-cylindrical shutter means ec- -centrically arranged with respect to said source, an electric circuit, electro-magnetic means in said circuit, a hemi-cylindrlcal transparent platen fixedly positioned above said source and adapted to receive a negative thereon, reflecting means extending from adjacent said shutter means toward said platen and adapted to direct rays from said source against said platen time-controlled switch means in said circuit for controlling said electro-magnetic means, said shutter means comprising complementary members, a stationary member and a swingable member, respectively, and a curved illter element associated with said swingable member and encompassing therewith a'aaaaoi said light source! said swingable member being in driving connection with said electro-magnetic means and having a reilecting inner surface, said swingable member when swung in a position above said source forming with said stationary member a substantially-closed housing for said source, and when swung in .a position below said,

source exposing said light source through said iilterelement and permitting direction of rays of light by said reecting means and said inner surface to said platen and said negative when located on the latter.

7. In a copying machine ofthe character described the combination of a short wave length light source, a henri-cylindrical transparent platen iixedly, positioned above said source and GEza szAsz. so 

